Fire escape apparatus

ABSTRACT

Fire escape apparatus suitable for use in locations where escape requires a movement from a first level to a second lower level is described. The apparatus comprises a casing ( 40 ), a flexible ladder ( 14, 16 ), and a means for deploying said ladder ( 11, 22, 24 ). The casing ( 40 ) has a mouth and is of sufficient dimensions to contain the flexible ladder ( 14, 16 ) when not in use. The deployment means ( 11, 22, 24 ) includes a spacer means ( 22, 24 ) and one or more handle means ( 11 ). The deployment means may be reversibly reconfigured between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration. The casing may be built into the structure which is to be escaped from, and the ladder is protected, when not in use, by the casing.

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/GB00/03650, filed Sep. 21, 2000.

This application relates to fires escape apparatus and in particular tofire escape apparatus suitable for use in locations where escaperequires a movement from a first level to a second lower level.

Various types of fire escape which allow humans to escape from a fire bymoving from a first level to a second lower level have been proposed.Such fire escapes may be split into two broad categories: fixed anddeployable. Fixed fire escapes generally have a permanent structure.They generally comprise a ladder and/or stairs permanently fixed inposition to the outer face of a building or other structure. Thisapplication is not concerned with fixed fire escapes.

Deployable fire escapes are generally stored within a building or otherstructure and only deployed at such time as they are needed. The presentinvention relates to a new deployable fire escape.

According to the present invention there is provided a fire escapeapparatus suitable for use where escape requires a movement from a firstlevel to a second lower level. The fire escape apparatus comprises acasing, a flexible ladder and a means for deploying said ladder; inwhich the casing has a mouth and is of sufficient dimension to containthe flexible ladder when that ladder is not in use. The deployment meansincludes a spacer means, also referred to as a spacer, and one or morehandle means, also referred to as a handle. The deployment means may bereversibly reconfigured between a storage configuration and a deployedconfiguration.

It is most preferred that the casing has a base, first and second sidewalls and front and back walls extending between the first and secondside walls. In this configuration the mouth of the casing is an aperturebetween the side walls and the front and back walls opposite the base.The mouth allows access to the inside of the casing from outside thecasing. It is particularly preferred that an edge of each of the sideand front and back walls are joined to the base. Most preferably, thejoints between the walls and/or the base are gas and liquid tight. It ispreferred that the material forming the base and the walls of the casingis likewise gas and liquid tight. Most preferably, the material of thecasing is also fire proof. Sheet metal is a particularly preferredmaterial for the casing.

In a preferred embodiment each handle means has an associated handlechannel either located within the casing, on an outside face of thecasing, or integral with a wall of the casing. Each handle channel ispreferably dimensioned and configured to allow reversible movement of ahandle means along said channel. It is most preferred that the handlemeans moves along the handle channel when the deployment means isreconfigured.

It is most preferable that a portion of each handle means projects fromthe end of the handle channel associated with the handle means when thedeployment means is in the deployed configuration. This is particularlydesirable because it is often the case that a user of the fire escapeapparatus will need something to hold on to whilst climbing onto the topof the flexible ladder which has, by then, been deployed. The presenceof one or more handle means makes the act of climbing onto the flexibleladder considerably safer and easier.

In one embodiment it is preferred that portions of the handle meansproject in a direction away from the casing. Most preferably, thehandles project out of the casing in the region of the mouth of thecasing, or through the mouth of the casing.

A or each handle means may include means adapted to aid a user to locatethe apparatus of the present invention once the deployment means is inthe deployed position. Such means may include a flashing light or meansfor producing an audible signal such as pulses of sound.

Each handle channel or handle means may be provided with one or morestop means that serve to limit the movement of the handle within thehandle channel. That limitation is most preferably to movement between astored position and a deployed position. The stop means are mostpreferably in the form of projections into the channel that obstructmovement of the handle in the handle channel, or projections attached tothe handle projecting into a slot in the handle channel, said slothaving closed ends, or other means of obstructing the travel of theprojections along the slot.

The spacer means is preferably constructed and configured to move from astorage position to a deployed position. It is most preferred that themovement of the spacer means between the stored position and deployedposition occurs when the deployment means is reconfigured between itsstorage configuration and deployed configuration, or the reversere-configuration.

The purpose of the spacer means is to, when deployed, hold the flexibleladder a predetermined distance away from the casing. In use thisequates to the spacer means holding the flexible ladder a predetermineddistance away from the face of the building or other structure to whichthe fire escape apparatus is attached. Holding the flexible ladder awayfrom the face of the building or other structure to which the fireescape apparatus is fixed has the benefit of rendering use of theflexible ladder safer and easier.

It is preferred that the spacer means when in the storage position is atleast partially within the casing, most preferably it is substantiallywithin the casing.

The spacer means may be pivotally engaged with at least one handlemeans. In this embodiment, the spacer means may pivot relative to thehandle means when the deployment means is reconfigured. In oneparticularly preferred embodiment of the present invention the handlemeans and a portion of the spacer means rest substantially adjacent toeach other when in the storage position. When the deployment means isreconfigured to the deployed position, the spacer means pivots about apivot on the handle means through a predetermined angle.

In a most preferred embodiment, the spacer means comprises first andsecond lateral bars disposed substantially parallel to each other, eachlateral bar being pivotally engaged with a handle means substantially ata first end of the lateral bar and being fixed to a spacer bar extendingbetween said first and second lateral bars substantially at or adjacentto the second end of said lateral bars. Most preferably the spacer meanshas, when viewed from a position substantially perpendicular to a planepassing through both lateral bars and the spacer bar, the appearance ofthree sides of a rectangle or square. In use, the flexible ladder restsagainst the spacer bar, and the lateral bars hold the spacer bar outfrom the face of the building or other structure.

Optionally, in a further embodiment, each lateral bar includes a gripportion at or adjacent to the second end of the lateral bar. The gripportion may be attached to the lateral bar by normal attachment means,or may be integral with the lateral bar. The grip portion is preferablyof such dimensions and configuration as to allow a human hand to obtaina good grip on that portion.

In a preferred embodiment the deployment means further includes a secondladder means, also referred to as a second ladder. The second laddermeans is shorter than the flexible ladder and the second ladder means isadapted to move from a storage position to a deployed position onre-configuration of the deployment means.

The second ladder is preferably stored at least partially, andpreferably substantially, within the casing when in the storageposition.

The second ladder means preferably includes at least one ladder supportmeans, at least one rung and at least one rung support means. The laddersupport means may be pivotally engaged with at least one handle meansand pivot relative to the handle means when the deployment means isreconfigured.

It is most preferred that the ladder support means comprises first andsecond support bars disposed substantially parallel to each other, eachsupport bar being pivotally engaged with a handle means substantially ata first end of the support bar and engaged with a rung support meanssubstantially at the second end.

It is most preferred that the spacer means and the ladder support meansare each pivotally attached to the same pivot means on each handle meansto which they are attached. This reduces the number of pivot pointswithin the apparatus and simplifies mechanical construction. Mostpreferably the spacer means and the ladder support means pivot aroundeach pivot to which they are attached in opposite directions when thedeployment means is reconfigured. Thus if in the storage position the oreach handle means, the spacer means, and the ladder support means areall substantially co-planar; when the deployment means is reconfiguredthe handle means moves, but remains in the same plane, and the spacermeans and the ladder support means move to positions either side of thatplane.

It is preferred in one embodiment that at least one pivot is providedwith means to limit the degree of rotation of one or both of the spacermeans and ladder support means. It is particularly preferred that eachof the spacer means and ladder support means may pivot throughapproximately 90° relative to the handle means. In one embodiment, thehandle means is substantially straight, and the spacer means and theladder support means are configured so that they have a small dimensionin a first direction compared to the dimensions in a second and thirddirection when the first, second and third directions are mutuallyperpendicular. In this embodiment the handle means, ladder supportmeans, and spacer means can move from the stored position in which theyare substantially co-planar to the deployed position, when the spacermeans and ladder support means are again substantially co-planar, but onopposite sides of the axis about which they have pivoted, and the handlemeans is orientated substantially perpendicularly to the plane of thespacer means and ladder support means.

Alternatively, or in addition to stops being provided on the pivotmeans, stop means may be located on the spacer means and/or laddersupport means.

In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention there are twohandle means. When those handle means are in the deployed position, atleast a portion of the mouth of the casing is located between the handlemeans. Most preferably, the handle means have a substantially straightlongitudinal axis and a first end of the handle means is configured tobe easily gripped in a human hand. Preferably, the majority of eachhandle is substantially circular in cross section except for at thefirst end of the handle means.

The flexible ladder may be of any appropriate ladder construction. Mostpreferably it is comprised of a plurality of rungs, said rungs beingfixed at substantially even spacings to a pair of longitudinal flexiblerung supports. Said rung supports can be steel wire, chain, or othernon-flammable flexible structure.

It is preferred that a first end of the ladder is attached to the baseof the casing. Such attachment may be by standard means such as bolts,welding, or other appropriate means. The second end of the flexibleladder is most preferably provided with means adapted to releasablyengage with the spacer means. When the second end of the flexible ladderis so configured, the movement of the spacer means from its storedposition to its deployed position causes the second end of the ladder tobe pulled through the mouth of the casing. Once the second end of theladder has been pulled through the mouth of the casing, a user of thefire escape apparatus may then use the portion of the ladder pulledthrough the mouth of the casing to pull the remainder of the ladder outof the casing. In practice it will be found that because of the weightof the ladder, once a certain amount of the ladder has been pulled outof the casing and allowed to hang down the face of the structure towhich the fire escape apparatus is attached, the weight of the deployedladder will be sufficient to cause the remainder of the ladder to bedeployed without further intervention from the user.

The fire escape apparatus of the present invention is, in a furtherpreferred embodiment, provided with a removable closure means for themouth of the casing. The closure means may, if so desired, be providedwith seal means to cause the closure of the casing to be substantiallyfluid or gas tight.

In use, the presence of a closure member closing the mouth of the casingwhen the deployment means is in the storage position and the flexibleladder is within the casing is preferable because the closure memberwill prevent unwanted dirt, rubbish or other material from entering thecasing and potentially jamming the deployment means or the flexibleladder within the casing. Where the apparatus of the present inventionis to be used in environments that are wet and/or hostile to thematerials from which the apparatus is constructed, it is preferred thatthe closure member includes an appropriate seal means to prevent such ahostile environment damaging the apparatus of the present invention and,possibly, rendering it unserviceable.

The closure member is preferably provided with one or more releasablelatch means to latch the closure member in a closed position.

In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, thedeployment means is provided with means or an energy source which can beutilized to cause the re-configuration of the deployment means from itsstored position to its deployed position to occur without a user of theapparatus having to physically manipulate the apparatus. Most preferablythis energy is provided by biasing. The biasing means may be one or morecompression springs, each of those springs are held in a compressedstate by a latch means, also referred to as second latch means, untilthe actuation means causes release of the latch means. In alternativeembodiments, the energy necessary to cause the deployment means toreconfigure may be obtained from a compressed gas source, a source ofelectricity, or any other appropriate energy storage means or source.

It is most preferred, when the casing is provided with a closure means,that the actuation means for the energy source be activated when theclosure means is removed from the casing.

In an alternative embodiment, the actuation means for the energy sourceis activated from a position or by means remote from the apparatus ofthe present invention. The means may include a fire alarm system for abuilding, or a user operated switch.

The apparatus of the present invention may also include one or morealert means. The alert means preferably detect and react to either theremoval of the closure means from the casing, if present, or there-configuration of the deployment means. The alert means maycommunicate the occurrence of the event that it is designed to detect byone or more of: communicating the occurrence of the event to anemergency service such as the fire service; cause a fire alarm to sound;or cause a local indication that the detected event has occurred, forexample in the form of a flashing light source. The alert means maycommunicate the occurrence of an event via either electromagneticradiation signals, or via fixed, solid state wiring.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used in a wide variety oflocations and with a wide variety of structures. It is particularlypreferred, however, that the apparatus of the present invention be usedin buildings which include a structural frame, an inner skin and anouter skin. The apparatus is configured to be fixed to the structuralframe and located between the inner and outer skins. The apparatus ispreferably orientated so that the mouth of the casing facessubstantially upwards and the apparatus is fixed beneath an aperture inthe inner and outer skins. Most preferably, this aperture is a window.In this instance, the casing is provided with a closure means which alsoforms at least part of the window sill when the closure means is closingthe mouth of the casing.

A particular advantage of using the apparatus of the present inventionin the above described fashion is that the fire escape apparatus can bebuilt into the fabric of a building when the building is constructed andcan remain there until such time as it is necessary, if at all. Theappearance of the inner skin of the building, e.g. the inner wall of aroom, is not in any way detracted from by the apparatus of the presentinvention. This will make fitting apparatus of the present inventioninto a building much more cosmetically acceptable than has been the casein connection with previously known fire escape apparatus.

In an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention,whichever of the front or back walls of the casing that is to facetoward the inside of the building can either be constructed to includeone or more fluid tight passages interconnected with each other, aninput port and an output port so as to form a radiator for use as partof a central heating system. Alternatively, a wall of the casing can beso configured to allow the mounting of a radiator onto that wall. Inthis embodiment, the radiator hides the apparatus of the presentinvention.

A second location within a building that it may be desired to fit theapparatus of the present invention is within a parapet wall at the topof a flat roofed building, or around a balcony. Again, because theapparatus of the present invention can be built into the parapet wallthere is no unsightliness caused by the apparatus of the presentinvention and, as such, its presence in a building is much moreacceptable than previously known fire escapes.

An alternative preferred location for apparatus of the present inventionis use on sailing vessels or ships or boats. Most preferably theapparatus could be fixed to the hull of the sailing vessel adjacent tothe junction of the hull and a deck. The apparatus should be fixedeither beneath an aperture in the hull, if it is being fixed below thetop deck, or just below the top edge of the hull.

Where the apparatus is to be used on a sailing vessel, it isparticularly important that the casing is provided with a closure meansand that there is a seal on that closure means. It is undesirable forsea water to enter the casing and risk corroding the flexible ladderand/or deployment means when they are in their storage position.

In use, a user will go to wherever the apparatus is situated. He willremove the closure means to the casing (if one is employed), and eithercause actuation of the energy source to cause the deployment means tomove to its deployed position, or physically manipulate the deploymentmeans to move it to its deployed position. Once the deployment means isat its deployed position, the user will pull the flexible ladder out ofthe casing and lower it down the side of the structure to be escapedfrom, whilst draping it over the spacer means. The weight of the laddercauses the deployment of the remainder of the flexible ladder withoutfurther intervention from the user once sufficient of the flexibleladder has been deployed.

If the embodiment of the apparatus that the user is using includes thesecond ladder means, that second ladder means will be caused to deployin the opposite direction from the spacer means and will deploy a secondladder down the inside face of the structure to be escaped from. Whenthe flexible ladder is fully deployed the user may climb up the secondladder whilst holding on to the handle means, transfer himself from thesecond ladder to the flexible ladder, and then climb down the flexibleladder so escaping the fire.

The fire escape means of the present invention may be repacked into thecasing by a reverse procedure to deploying the fire escape means. Theflexible ladder will have to be pulled up to the level of the apparatusand if compression springs are used as the energy source for thedeployment means, those springs will have to be recompressed. Thus thefire escape apparatus of the present invention may be re-used ordeployed on a regular basis to ensure that it remains in working order.

The present invention will be further described and explained by way ofexample and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention when the deployment means is in the storage position;

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 when the deployment means isbetween the storage position and the deployed position;

FIG. 3 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 when the deployment means is in thedeployed position;

FIG. 4 shows an elevation of the apparatus as in FIG. 3 when locatedwithin a building when viewed from outside the building; and

FIG. 5 shows a side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 1, a fire escape apparatus (2) is comprised of adeployment means (4), a flexible ladder (6) and a casing (not shown).The casing includes base plate (a) and extends between a first andsecond handle channel (10, 12). The casing is omitted from FIG. 1 forclarity.

Flexible ladder (6) is composed of a number of rungs (14, not all ofwhich are numbered in FIG. 1). Rungs (14) extend between steel rungsupport cables (16) and are fixed thereto at substantially even spacing.Rung support cables (16) each have a first end connected- to base plate(B) The connection is by way of a standard steel wire connection means.

Deployment means (4) comprises, as is better illustrated in FIGS. 3 and5, a spacer means (18) and a second ladder means (20). Spacer means (18)comprises a pair of lateral bars (22 a, 22 b) and a spacer bar (24).Spacer bar (24) is combined with a casing closure means (26). Casingclosure means (26) closes the mouth (not shown) of the casing (notshown) through which ladder (26) and deployment means (4) extends whenin the deployed position as shown in FIG. 3.

Second ladder means (20) comprises a pair of ladder support bars (28 a,28 b). Each of ladder support bars (28 a, 28 b) is engaged with a rungsupport bar (30 a, 30 b respectively). Rung support bars (30 a, 30 b)engage with ladder support bars (28 a, 28 b) by way of a pin (32). Eachpin (32) is fixed to a rung support bar (30 a, 30 b) and engaged in alongitudinal slot that extends along each ladder support bar (28 a, 28b). Pins (32) are dimensioned and configured so that they cannot bewithdrawn from the longitudinal slots. Pin (32) is fixed to a first endof the associated rung support bar (30 a, 30 b). Fixed to the end of therung support bar (30 a, 30 b) remote from pin (32) is a rung (34). Rung(34) extends between the rung support bars (30 a, 30 b).

The length of ladder support bars (28 a, 28 b) and rung support bars (30a, 30 b) is determined by the position where the fire escape apparatus(2) is to be located, the dimensions of the structure surrounding thatlocation, and the desired vertical distance between the rung (34) andthe mouth of the casing (not shown). In alternative embodiments, notshown, rung support bars (30 a, 30 b) may either support further rungsupport bars and/or further rungs.

Located within each of the handle channels (10, 12) in FIG. 1 is ahandle (11, 13 respectively). When the deployment means (4) is in itsstorage position, the handles (11, 13) are fully retracted into thechannels (10 and 12 respectively).

Referring to FIG. 3, a portion of handles (11, 13) may be seen extendingfrom their associated handle channels (10, 12 respectively). Extendingbetween handles (11) and (13) is a pivot bar (36). The ends of pivot bar(36) are fixed within the handles (11 and 13). Lateral bar (22 a) andladder support bar (28 a) are both provided with apertures through whichpivot bar (36) passes. The apertures are adjacent to the ends of thebars remote from spacer bar (24) and rung bar (30) respectively. Theapertures in lateral bar (22 a) and ladder support bar (28 b) aredimensioned so as to allow the bars (22 a) and (28 a) to slidinglyrotate about pivot bar (36). Apertures of a similar location anddimension are provided in lateral bar (22 b) and ladder support bar (28b).

As may be seen from FIG. 3, when deployment means (4) is in the deployedconfiguration, lateral support bars (22) and ladder support bars (28)have substantially parallel longitudinal axes and are orientated,relative to pivot bar (36) in opposite directions.

Not shown in any of the figures is an energy storage means in the formof a compression spring located in each of handle channels (10) and(12). The compression spring is braced, at a first end, against baseplate (8) and engages at a second end with the end of handle (11) and(13) proximal to base plate (8) or the ends of pivot bar (36) insidehandles (11) and (13).

When the handles (11 and 13) are fully within the handle channels (10and 12) the compression springs are under compression. Each of thehandle channels (10 and 12) are provided with a latch means (not shown)which acts either on the compression spring itself, or, more preferablyindirectly on the compression spring via the handles (11 and 13) or theends of pivot bar (36). When the latch means are disengaged thecompression springs bias the handles (11 and 13) into the position shownin FIG. 2.

When the handles (11 and 13) reach the position shown in FIG. 2, pivotbar (36) comes clear of the casing, the top edge of which is shown bylines (40) on FIGS. 2 and 3. This allows spacer means (18) and secondladder support means (20) to pivot around pivot bar (36) into theposition shown in FIG. 3. Rung support bars (30 a, 30 b) and rung (34)may be deployed to the position shown in FIG. 3 from the position shownin FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3 either by a user pulling therung (34) away from pivot bar (36) or by biasing means incorporated inladder support bars (28 a, 28 b) (not shown). Gravity then causes rung(34) to hang vertically below the ends of ladder support bars (28 b).

The rung (14) attached furthest along rung support cable (16) from baseplate (8) is, whilst in the storage position shown in FIG. 1 and whilstmoving to deployment position as shown in FIG. 3, releasably clipped tospacer bar (24) by clip means (not shown). When the deployment means isin the deployed position shown in FIG. 3, the user unclips the rung (14)from spacer bar (24), and uses rungs (14) to pull ladder (6) out of thecasing. The free end of the ladder (6) is passed over spacer bar (24)and allowed simply to drop under the force of gravity. When sufficientof ladder (6) has been passed over spacer bar (24), the weight of ladder(6) will pull the remainder of ladder (6) out of the casing until therung support cables (16) are taut against the fixings of rung supportcables (16) to base plate (8).

Once the flexible ladder has reached the position as shown in FIG. 3,that is with rung support cables (16) held taut, a user of the fireescape apparatus may climb up rung or rungs (34) so that they can climbeasily over the apparatus and down flexible ladder (6) via rungs (14) soas to escape a fire. Whilst the user is climbing from rungs (34) torungs (14) the user may grip one or both of handles (11) and (13) so asto provide balance and increase the safety of the operation.

Once it is no longer required that the apparatus of the presentinvention be deployed, the apparatus may be returned to its storageconfiguration. This is done by first placing the flexible ladder backinto the casing then returning the deployment means (4) to the positionshown in FIG. 2, and finally resetting the energy storage means so thatthe handles (11, 13) can return to being wholly within the handlechannels (10, 12).

In use, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the apparatus of the presentinvention (2) is mounted within a structural framework including a pairof vertical struts (50, 52) either side of the apparatus (2), a beam(54), and a window frame (56). Base plate (8) is bolted (bolts notshown) to beam (54). The apparatus (2) is further provided withstabilising struts (not shown) extending laterally from the casing tothe adjacent vertical struts (50, 52). The framework of the struts (50,52), beam (54) and window frame (56) is typical of a structure to befound in a timber framed house.

The apparatus of the present invention (2) is located between the outerskin (58) of the structure to which the apparatus is attached, and theinner skin (60). The outer skin (58) is comprised of a layer ofbrickwork, a cavity, and a sheath layer of, for example, plywood. Theinner skin (60) is comprised of a layer of plasterboard with a plasterskim over the inner surface of said plasterboard. The apparatus furtherincludes a cover plate (62) that is hinged to the inner skin of thestructure (60) and which may move about the hinge line from a positionwherein cover plate (62) acts as a part of the window sill for window(56) and hides apparatus (2) to the position shown in FIG. 5 wherein theclosure means (26) may be accessed by a user.

The apparatus of the present invention is preferably made of a fireresistant or fire-proof material. In particular, non-flammable metalsare preferred because of their ease of mechanical working and theirdurability. It is particularly anticipated that the apparatus of thepresent invention may remain in position for long periods of time, andpreferably the design life of the structure into which it isincorporated, and accordingly the materials need to be selected toensure the apparatus has a sufficiently long design life.

1. Fire escape apparatus suitable for use in locations where escaperequires a movement from a first level to a second lower levelcomprising a casing having at least one wall, a flexible ladder, and ameans for deploying said ladder; in which the casing has a mouth and isconfigured to contain the flexible ladder when not in use, thedeployment means includes a spacer and at least one handle, and in whichthe deployment means is connected to said casing and is moveable betweena storage configuration in which configuration the ladder is inside thecasing and a deployed configuration in which the ladder is removed fromthe casing; wherein the at least one handle is reversibly moveablebetween a stored configuration and a deployed configuration.
 2. The fireescape apparatus according to claim 1 in which the casing is comprisedof a base, and the at least one wall is comprised of first and secondside walls, and front and back walls extending between the first andsecond side walls, and in which the mouth of the casing is an aperturebetween the inside and out side of the casing, and the mouth is locatedbetween the side walls and the front and back walls opposite the base.3. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 2 in which one edge ofeach of the side and front and back walls are joined to the base.
 4. Thefire escape apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the atleast, one handle has an associated handle channel located within thecasing, each handle channel is dimensioned and configured to allowreversible movement of a handle along the handle channel when thedeployment means is reconfigured, and in which a portion of the at leastone handle projects from an end of the associated handle channel whenthe deployment means is in the deployed configuration, and theprojecting portion of the at least one handle projects through the mouthof the casing.
 5. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 4 inwhich each channel is provided with stop means to limit the movement ofthe at least one handle in the channel between a stored position and adeployed position.
 6. The fire escape apparatus according to any ofclaims 1 to 3 in which the at least one handle has an associated handlechannel attached to an outside face of, or integral with, said at leastone wall of the casing, each handle channel is dimensioned andconfigured to allow reversible movement of the associated at least onehandle along the handle channel when the deployment means isreconfigured, in which a portion of the at least one handle projectsfrom an end of the associated handle channel when the deployment meansis in the deployed configuration, and the projecting portion of the atleast one handle is adjacent to the mouth of the casing.
 7. The fireescape apparatus according to claim 1 in which the spacer is adapted tomove from a storage configuration to a deployed configuration.
 8. Thefire escape apparatus according to claim 7 in which the spacer when inthe storage position is at least partially within the casing.
 9. Thefire escape apparatus according to claim 7 in which the spacer ispivotally engaged with the at least one handle, and the spacer may pivotrelative to the at least one handle when the deployment means isreconfigured.
 10. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 9 inwhich the spacer comprises a first and second lateral bar deposedsubstantially parallel to each other, each lateral bar being pivotallyengaged with the at least one handle substantially at a first end andfixed to a spacer bar extending between the first and second lateralbars substantially at or adjacent to the second end.
 11. The fire escapeapparatus according to claim 10 in which each lateral bar includes agrip portion at or adjacent to the second end of said lateral bar. 12.The fire escape apparatus according to claim 9 in which the deploymentmeans further includes a second ladder, said second ladder being shorterthan the flexible ladder, and in which the second ladder is adapted tomove from a storage position to a deployed position.
 13. The fire escapeapparatus according to claim 12 in which second ladder when in thestorage position is at least partially within the casing.
 14. The fireescape apparatus according to claim 12 in which the second ladderincludes at least one ladder support means, at least two rungs, and atleast one rung support means, and in which the ladder support means ispivotally engaged with the at least one handle, and the ladder supportmeans pivots relative to the at least one handle when the deploymentmeans is reconfigured.
 15. The fire escape apparatus according to claim14 in which the ladder support means comprises first and second supportbars deposed substantially parallel to each other, each support barbeing pivotally engaged with a the at least one handle substantially ata first end and engaged with a rung support means substantially at thesecond end.
 16. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 14 in whichthe spacer and the ladder support means are each pivotally attached to asingle pivot means on the at least one handle to which they areattached.
 17. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 16 in whichthe at least one of the pivot means is provided with one or more stopmeans, said stop means being adapted to limit the angle through which atleast one of the spacer and the ladder support means may pivot.
 18. Thefire escape apparatus according to claim 14 in which the spacer and theladder support means pivot in opposite directions when the deploymentmeans is reconfigured.
 19. The fire escape apparatus according to claim18 in which the spacer and the ladder support means are each providedwith at least one stop means, said stop means being adapted to limit theangle through which the spacer and the ladder support means may pivotrelative to either the at least one handle or each other.
 20. The fireescape apparatus according to claim 1 in which there are two handleswherein at least a portion of the mouth of the casing extends betweenthe handles when in deployed position.
 21. The fire escape apparatusaccording to claim 1 in which the at least one handle has asubstantially straight longitudinal axis, and a first end of the atleast one handle is configured so that it is a suitable shape for easygripping by a human hand.
 22. The fire escape apparatus according toclaim 1 in which the flexible ladder is comprised of a plurality ofrungs, said rungs being fixed at substantially even spacings to a pairof longitudinal flexible rung supports.
 23. The fire escape apparatusaccording to claim 1 in which one end of said flexible ladder is fixedto the base of the casing.
 24. The fire escape apparatus according toclaim 1 in which one end of said ladder is adapted to releasably engagewith the spacer.
 25. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 24 inwhich re-configuration of the deployment means from the storageconfiguration to the deployed configuration causes the spacer to pullthe end of the ladder releasably engaged with the spacer through themouth of the casing.
 26. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 1in which there is further provided a removable closure means adapted toclose the mouth of the casing.
 27. The fire escape apparatus accordingto claim 26 in which the closure means is provided with at least oneseal means adapted to produce a substantially liquid and or gas tightseal when the mouth of the casing is closed.
 28. The fire escapeapparatus according to claim 26 in which the closure means is furtherprovided with at least one latch means adapted to latch the closuremeans in a closed position.
 29. The fire escape apparatus according toclaim 28 in which the deployment means further includes a power sourceadapted to cause the deployment means to be reconfigured from thestorage configuration to the deployed configuration once activated by anactuation means.
 30. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 29 inwhich removal of the closure means from the mouth of the casing causesthe actuation of an energy source.
 31. The fire escape apparatusaccording to claim 29 in which the energy source is one or morecompression springs, each of said springs being held in a compressedstate by a second latch means, and in which the actuation means causesrelease of the second latch means.
 32. The fire escape apparatusaccording to claim 1 in which the apparatus is adapted to be fixed to abuilding.
 33. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 32 in whichthe apparatus is adapted to be fitted beneath a window of the building.34. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 32 in which said atleast one wall of the casing includes one or more fluid tight passages,interconnected with each other, and an input port and an output port.35. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 32 in which a buildinghas a structural frame, an inner skin and an outer skin, and in whichthe apparatus is adapted to be fixed to the structural frame between theinner and outer skins, and the mouth of the casing faces upwards. 36.The fire escape apparatus according to claim 1 in which there is furtherprovided a removable closure means adapted to close the mouth of thecasing and in which the apparatus is adapted to be fixed to a buildinghaving a structural frame, an inner skin and an outer skin, and in whichthe apparatus is adapted to be fixed to the structural frame between theinner and outer skins, and the mouth of the casing faces upwards inwhich the closure means forms a window sill.
 37. The fire escapeapparatus according to claim 1 in which the apparatus is adapted to beused on a sailing vessel.
 38. The fire escape apparatus according toclaim 37 in which the apparatus is adapted to be fixed to the hull ofthe vessel adjacent the junction of the hull and a deck.
 39. The fireescape apparatus according to claim 1 in which the apparatus is furtherprovided with means to detect a change in the configuration of, ormovement within, the apparatus, and communication means in which thecommunication means may communicate the detection of that change ormovement to a monitoring device, or an indicator means.
 40. The fireescape apparatus according to claim 39 in which the communication meanssend one or more communications via electromagnetic radiation or viafixed wires.
 41. The fire escape apparatus according to claim 39 inwhich the communication means communicates detection of the change ormovement to an emergency service or to apparatus which, in turn, causesa fire alarm to sound.